Isolation, identification and biochemical characterization of endophytic fungi from sunflower Helianthus annuus L

Endophytic fungi live inside healthy plant tissues and have become common plant partners. These fungi not only help plants grow and produce pigments, enzymes and bioactive compounds, but they can also harm plant tissues and produce toxins. They are found in various parts of plants, such as stem, shoot, root, leaves and bark. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a universal host for many species of endophytic fungi, which possess unique medicinal properties. This study aimed to isolate, identify and analyze the biochemical characteristics of endophytic fungi from sunflower. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant was collected and chopped into smaller pieces and put on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium for fungal growth. Fungi were separated, cleaned and maintained in a continuous subculture. After morphological and molecular identification sample was subjected to biochemical profiling by FTIR. Results showed the presence of Rhizopus sp., Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. in sunflower and structural determination by FTIR showed a number of bands and peaks.